The archdiocese, under the guidance of Archbishop Chaput, has conducted a two-year-long study regarding the grades for Confirmation. Overwhelmingly, bishops, pastors, principals and directors of religious education noted there is a much better understanding of the sacrament of confirmation by older grade school students. While in recent decades the sacrament has mostly been administered to children in grades four, five and six, going forward it will be administered to those in grades seven and eight. In his formal announcement, the Archbishop said the revised standard “is mandatory for all parishes within the archdiocese and to all schools and religious education programs, including private Catholic schools and Independence Mission Schools.” This changeover will take place in September, 2018.

Here at St. Bridget, we were scheduled for Confirmation in 2019. That year is now changed to 2020-2021. We are hoping for 2020.

Confessions are every Saturday from 3:15 until 4 pm. and now on Sunday mornings 8:30 to 8:45 am and 10:30 to 10:45 am

Form for Confession for the children

Good morning/afternoon, Father.

Bless me, Father, for I have sinned, it has been _________ since my last confession. These are my sins.

Father will give me a penance, I pray the Act of Contrition.

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins because of your just punishments. But most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Your grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.

Father prays the words of absolution and I bless myself.

As I leave I say, Thank you, Father.

I also have a few cards with these words on them. There is a small shelf outside Father Feeney’s confessional. I will put them there with a note to say they are for children. Please return them to that shelf. Please also encourage your child if they feel nervous for any reason, Father Feeney will certainly help them.